The Big 6: Reasons Ben Dunk Will Be A Slamming Success Against Proteas

Ben Dunk will wear the gloves for Australia in their Twenty20 series with South Africa after being rewarded for his record-breaking achievements at the weekend.

Dunk blasted a sensational 229 not out for Tasmania surpassing David Warner’s record score of 197, recording the first one-day double century in Australian cricket.

Dunk has shot to the front of the queue on the back of that score beating fellow Tasmanian Tim Paine as well as NSW’s Peter Nevill, West Australian Sam Whiteman and former Australian wicketkeeper Matt Wade to the role behind the stumps for the three match series. With first choice wicketkeeper Brad Haddin still in the UAE on Test duty, Australia were in need of someone to fill the gap, and here we will prove why Dunk is the correct one:

1. He’s On The Crest Of A Wave

When you’re hitting the ball as well as Dunk is at the moment, you’ll feel like you can take on all comers. The thought of facing the likes of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel is daunting to most batsmen, but given the form Dunk is currently in he’ll just be happy to be back in the middle putting bat to ball.

2. He’s An Unknown Quantity

Dunk’s selection is far from a shock, but there are wicketkeepers out there who would have been expected to feature before him. He may be a player that the South African attack know little about, which could benefit Australia, and Dunk, hugely. With a lot of emphasis in the modern game placed on video research and detailed plans on how to deal with opposition players, the South African bowlers may be a little under prepared when it comes to facing surprise selection Dunk.

3. He’s Always Been Tipped For Greatness

Australian cricket is littered with talented wicketkeepers, so the fact that Dunk has often been down the pecking order says more about the pool of talent in the country rather than Dunk’s individual ability. Despite the competition, he has frequently been tipped to reach the top. His talent was noticed at an early age and he was selected in the Australia squad for the 2005 World Youth Cup and was selected in Queensland’s Sheffield Shield side as a specialist batsman in his first season as a fully contracted player after a string of impressive performances with the bat.

4. His T-20 Strike Rate

Although he impressed in first class cricket, his most memorable displays early in his career came in the Twenty20 format. Having kept out Chris Hartley when he returned from injury, Dunk showed why when he blasted 70 off 40 balls to give the Bulls a chance in the preliminary final before the chase failed. In six matches Dunk raced to 142 runs at a strike-rate of 148. He has now played 43 Twenty20 games and has maintained good odds and a healthy strike rate, which is currently 123.89 at an average of 24.42.

5. He Has IPL Experience

The IPL has developed in to the hot bed for Twenty20 cricket over the last few years, with the worlds big hitters flocking to India for the bumper pay deals and the star studded company. Dunk’s inclusion in the Mumbai Indian’s roster alone shows he has talent in this format of the game. His time rubbing shoulders with the likes of ‘Mr Cricket’ Mike Hussey, Rohit Sharma and Kieron Pollard will have done his batting skills no harm at all

6. His List A Average

His Twenty20 strike rate shows he can blast a ball, but his one day career overall shows he can also build an innings and score big too. In 27 List A games, he has a healthy average of 36+, with a typically impressive strike rate of 91. His mammoth 229* was a freak innings, but at the same time no fluke. He followed it up with scores of 42 and 92 in his next two games to show that he is not just a one hit wonder, illustrating the huge strides he has made since making his debut in 2010.

With Dunk going from strength to strength, he will be hoping that his inclusion in Australia’s Twenty20 squad is just the latest step in an ever-developing career. The form book suggests he will take to international cricket with the ease and after breaking records on a domestic level, South Africa and the international scene are right in Dunk’s sights.